English-English Dictionary

Meaning of the word pinched in English

What does pinched mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

pinched

US /pɪntʃt/
UK /pɪntʃt/
"pinched" picture

Adjective

1.

suffering from a lack of money, food, etc.

Example:
•
The family was pinched for cash after the job loss.
•
They lived a rather pinched existence, always careful with expenses.
Synonym:
straitenedimpoverisheddepriveddestitutepoor
2.

(of a person's face or features) appearing thin and drawn, especially from illness, hunger, or cold

Example:
•
His face looked pale and pinched after days of fever.
•
Her lips were pinched with cold.
Synonym:
haggarddrawngauntemaciatedthin

Verb

1.

to grip (something, especially a person's flesh) tightly and sharply between finger and thumb or between two surfaces

Example:
•
She pinched his arm to get his attention.
•
The new shoes pinched her toes.
Synonym:
squeezenipcompresscrampconstrict
2.

to steal (something, especially something of small value)

Example:
•
He was caught trying to pinch a candy bar from the store.
•
Someone must have pinched my pen.
Synonym:
stealpilferswipeliftsnitch
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Related Word:
pinchpinch pointpinch hitterpinch runnerpinch-hit